"Oh!" said Albert, smiling, "thy salamandrine has no very exquisite
taste. With reddish brown hair, she dresses in flame-coloured silk."

"Do not jest," continued Victor, "do not jest. I repeat to you that
under the influence of a mysterious magic, my breath was stopped. At
last a deep sigh escaped my oppressed bosom. She then opened her eyes,
raised herself, approached me, and grasped my hand. All the glow of
the most ardent love darted like a flash of lightning through my soul,
when she gently pressed my hand, and whispered with the sweetest
voice,--'Yes, thou hast conquered--thou art my ruler--I am thine!'
'Oh, thou child of the Gods--thou heavenly being!' I cried aloud; and
embracing her, I pressed her close to my bosom. But at that instant
the creature melted away in my arms."

"How!" said Albert, interrupting his friend, "in Heaven's name, melted
away?"

"Melted away," continued Victor, "in my arms. In no other manner can I
describe to you my sensation of the incomprehensible disappearance of
that lovely being. At the same time the glittering light was
extinguished, and I fell, I do not know how, into a profound sleep.
When I awoke I held the doll in my hand. I should weary you if I were
to tell you more of my strange intercourse with that mysterious being,
which now began and lasted for several weeks, than by saying that the
visit was repeated every night in the same manner. Much as I strove
against it, I could not resist the dreamy situation which came over me,
and from which the lovely being awoke me with a kiss. She remained
with me longer and longer on every occasion. She said much concerning
mysterious things, but I listened more to the sweet melody of her
voice, than to the words themselves. Even by day-time I often seemed
to feel the warm breath of some being near me; nay, I often heard a
whispering, a sighing close by me in society, especially when I spoke
with any lady, so that all my thoughts were directed to my lovely
mysterious mistress, and I was dumb and lifeless for all surrounding
objects. It once happened at a party that a lady bashfully approached
me to give me the kiss which I had won at a game of forfeits. But when
I bent to her I felt--before my lips had touched hers--a loud kiss upon
my mouth, and a soft voice whispered at the same time, 'To me alone do
your kisses belong.' Both I and the lady were somewhat alarmed, while
the rest of the party thought we had kissed in reali